McHenry County Farmland helps Protect our Environment!

Farmland helps treat our wastewater, recharge groundwater, protect water quality in our local streams, and provides wildlife habitat.

With its visual open space, farmland contributes significantly to the "quality of life" in McHenry County.

• According to the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, water quality is always higher in rivers and streams running through agricultural areas than it is in developed (or developing) areas. McHenry County farmland contributes to our high-quality rivers and streams such as the Nippersink, Piscasaw and Kishwaukee.

Farmland contributes significantly to managing the challenges that come with growth.

• Farmland facilitates groundwater recharge, thereby increasing the assurance of continuing supplies of water for drinking and recreation.
  
  
• Habitat and corridors for resident fish and wildlife and for migrating wildlife, thereby reducing the challenges to smaller open spaces within communities.